a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Under federal regulations, substantive change includes

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1 Columbus State University Substantive Change Policy The SACS liaison at Columbus State University is responsible for notifying the Commission in advance of substantive changes and program developments in accord with the substantive change policies of the Commission. The liaison will also familiarize faculty, staff, and administrators with the standards and provide updates to appropriate individuals as policies and procedures are revised (SACSCOC, 2012). While the SACS liaison will retain the primary responsibility for facilitating the substantive change process, the appropriate campus administrators (e.g. the President, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs, Deans, Department Chairs, etc.) will have specific responsibilities as outlined in the CSU Substantive Change matrix on pages 2-6. The Commission defines a substantive change as a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Under federal regulations, substantive change includes Any change in the established mission or objectives of the institution Any change in legal status, form of control, or ownership of the institution The addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those that were offered when the institution was last evaluated The addition of courses or programs of study at a degree or credential level different from that which is included in the institution s current accreditation or reaffirmation. A change from clock hours to credit hours A substantial increase in the number of clock or credit hours awarded for successful completion of a program The establishment of an additional location geographically apart from the main campus at which the institution offers at least 50% of an educational program. The establishment of a branch campus Closing a program, off-campus site, branch campus or institution Entering into a collaborative academic arrangement that includes only the initiation of a dual or joint academic program with another institution Acquiring another institution or a program or location of another institution Adding a permanent location at a site where the institution is conducting a teach-out program for a closed institution Entering into a contract by which an entity not eligible for Title IV funding offers 25% or more of one or more of the accredited institution s programs Questions related to Substantive Change Questions related to substantive change should be directed to the Columbus State University Accreditation Liaison in the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs at Additional Information Official substantive change policies and procedures of the Commission can be reviewed at: 1

2 CSU Substantive Change Matrix Because a variety of individuals are involved in the substantive change process, the SACSCOC matrix below has been adapted to delineate individual responsibilities in the reporting and documentation of substantive changes (SACSCOC, 2014). Type of Change & Advance : Initiating coursework or programs at a different level than currently approved Example: Initiating the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Leadership Expanding at current degree level (significant departure from current programs) Example: Development and implementation of the MS in Organizational Leadership Initiating a branch campus (defined as a location of an institution that is geographically apart and independent of the main campus of the institution. A location is independent of the main campus if the location is: permanent in nature; offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization; and has its own budgetary and hiring authority. ) Initiating a certificate program at employer s request and on short notice: No University Curriculum Application for Level Change 12 months in advance (by April 8 or September 15, as appropriate) President Dean and or Designee ( Dean and or Designee ( 1. using existing approved courses NA NA NA None NA 2. at a new off-campus site (previously approved program) 3. that is a significant departure from previously approved programs University Curriculum Modified prospectus Modified prospectus required prior to implementation 2

3 & Advance Initiating other certificate programs 1. using existing approved courses NA NA NA None NA 2. at a new off-campus site (previously approved program) 3. that is a significant departure from previously approved programs Altering significantly the educational mission of the institution Initiating joint or dual degrees with another institution: 1. Joint programs with another SACSCOC accredited institution 2. Joint programs with an institution not accredited by SACSCOC 6 months prior to implementation President No University Curriculum 3. Dual programs No University Curriculum Repackaging of existing approved curriculum to create a new degree level (Example: An institution with a 120-hour baccalaureate program creating an associate degree from its lowerdivision offerings.) Contact Commission Staff Copy of signed agreement and contact information for each institution Copy of signed agreement and contact information for each institution Designee ( Designee ( Designee ( Designee ( 3

4 & Advance Initiating off-campus sites (including Early College High School programs offered at the high school) 1. Student can obtain 50 percent or more credits toward program (Example: Providing more than 50% of the courses for the AS in General Studies at the Fort Benning site.) No 2. Student can obtain percent of credit No of notification 3. Student can obtain 24 percent or less NA NA NA None NA Expanding program offerings at previously approved off-campus sites 1. Adding programs that are significantly different from current programs at the site 2. Adding programs that are NOT significantly different from current programs at the site NA NA NA None NA NA NA NA None NA Altering significantly the length of a program Changing from clock hours to credit hours Adding a combination degree program that reduces hours needed to complete the combined degrees (e.g. combination baccalaureate and master s degrees) Provide details on both programs of study and justify any deviation from Core Requirement or its Interpretation 4

5 & Advance Initiating distance learning: 1. Offering 50 percent or more of a program for the first time No 2. Offering percent of a program for the first time No of notification 3. Offering 24 percent or less of a program NA NA NA None NA Initiating programs/courses offered through contractual agreement or consortium No Dean and University Curriculum of notification and copy of signed agreement Dean and SACS Liaison Entering into a contract with an entity not certified to participate in USDOE Title IV programs: 1. if the entity provides 25% or more of an educational program offered by the COC accredited institution President or Provost 2. if the entity provides less than 25% of an educational program offered by the accredited institution No President or Provost Copy of the signed agreement Initiating a merger/consolidation with another institution President Changing governance, ownership, control, or legal status of an institution (by April 8 or September 15, as appropriate) President 5

6 & Advance Submission Timeline Relocating a main or branch campus President Moving an off-campus instructional site (serving the same geographic area) No President of notification with new address and intended start date; Initiating degree completion programs Closing a program, approved off-campus site, branch campus, or institution: 1. Institution to teach out its own students 2. Institution contracts with another institution to teach-out students (Teach-out Agreement) Description of teach-out plan included with letter of notification Immediately following decision to close Description of teach-out plan, copy of signed teachout agreement detailing terms included with notification Immediately following decision to close Acquiring any program or site from another institution President or Provost Adding a permanent location at a site where the institution is conducting a teach-out for students from another institution that is closing President or Provost Department Chair and/or Dean and Dean or designee and Dean or designee 6

7 References Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. (2014). Substantive Change for Accredited Institutions of the Commission on Colleges. Retrieved on January 11, 2015 from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. (2012). The Accreditation Liaison. Retrieved on January 11, 2015 from 7